Shloka 9
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 209: Śaraṇāgati of the Cursed Apsarases; Nārītīrtha-prasiddhi; Arjuna’s Vimocana
ततः सर्वा महीं जेतुमारब्धावुग्रशासनौ । सैनिकांश्व समाहूय सुतीक्ष्णं वाक्यमूचतु:,तदनन्तर भयंकर शासन करनेवाले वे दोनों दैत्य सारी पृथ्वीको जीतनेके लिये उद्यत हो गये और अपने सैनिकोंको बुलाकर अत्यन्त तीखे वचन बोले--
tataḥ sarvāṁ mahīṁ jetum ārabdhāv ugraśāsanau | sainikāṁś ca samāhūya sutīkṣṇaṁ vākyam ūcatuḥ ||
Luego aquellos dos, terribles en su gobierno, se dispusieron a conquistar toda la tierra. Convocaron a sus soldados y pronunciaron palabras de extrema dureza—señalando el inicio de una campaña movida por la intimidación más que por la contención.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the pursuit of conquest, when joined with harsh शासन and cruel speech, reflects a decline in restraint and dharma; power exercised through intimidation tends toward adharma and suffering.
Nārada describes two fierce rulers preparing to conquer the entire earth: they summon their troops and address them with very harsh, cutting words, indicating an aggressive military undertaking.